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mergito's review against another edition
5.0
This book is kept in a safe place, with my most valuable (the value is mostly sentimental) books, mostly gifts. It's well researched, well written and tells a story almost too good to be true.
listen_learn's review against another edition
4.0
I started this books months ago with the idea that perhaps I would gain some insight into Clinton before Election Day. Not that there was any chance I would be voting for Trump, but still, I thought it would be interesting and informative to know more about a woman so public, and yet, so private. This did turn out to be a through and engaging book.
From its detailed and telling account of her childhood through her tranformative college years to her decision to marry Bill, to the political and personal successes and defeats that have clearly changed and shaped her, this biography does its job well. It brought to light many of her influences, showed me a number of things I wasn't aware of (her perception of herslef as deeply religious, her knowledge of the dubious chances of fidelity in a marraige to Bill Clinton, the infertility they experienced, her unique combination of old school and modern ideas), and gave me a clearer picture of why so many have viewed her as secretive and crooked.
There were sections that I simply skimmed through because I found the content boring or inapproriate, but I don't fault the author for that. He was trying to give an accurate and complete account and that was bound to be dry and messy in alternate places, given his subject.
From its detailed and telling account of her childhood through her tranformative college years to her decision to marry Bill, to the political and personal successes and defeats that have clearly changed and shaped her, this biography does its job well. It brought to light many of her influences, showed me a number of things I wasn't aware of (her perception of herslef as deeply religious, her knowledge of the dubious chances of fidelity in a marraige to Bill Clinton, the infertility they experienced, her unique combination of old school and modern ideas), and gave me a clearer picture of why so many have viewed her as secretive and crooked.
There were sections that I simply skimmed through because I found the content boring or inapproriate, but I don't fault the author for that. He was trying to give an accurate and complete account and that was bound to be dry and messy in alternate places, given his subject.
zkendall's review against another edition
4.0
Seemed to be a balanced account.
Hillary is such an INTJ, so it was interesting hearing about her personality since I'm one too. It's interesting how bad she was politically early on--due to some typical INTJ traits and being unable to play the social-political game in Washignton.
I like her and Bills relationship-matching too; two smart strong people who can argue and sharpen each others minds while also supporting and sticking with each other.
Going into this book, I didn't realize how religious or moderate she is. She's a life long and serious Methodist, but it's really cool how much her religion translates into helping people; the world would be better of if more Christians were like Hillary Clinton.
Hillary is such an INTJ, so it was interesting hearing about her personality since I'm one too. It's interesting how bad she was politically early on--due to some typical INTJ traits and being unable to play the social-political game in Washignton.
I like her and Bills relationship-matching too; two smart strong people who can argue and sharpen each others minds while also supporting and sticking with each other.
Going into this book, I didn't realize how religious or moderate she is. She's a life long and serious Methodist, but it's really cool how much her religion translates into helping people; the world would be better of if more Christians were like Hillary Clinton.
enelvee's review against another edition
4.0
I'm no less conflicted about her being president than I was before I picked this up.
I found the section on her childhood illuminating, and as an amateur armchair headshrinker I thought it makes her attraction to Bill (and his to her) make perfect sense. I found the section on the White House years illuminating as well, in terms of the dynamics that culminated in Bill doing that utterly stupid thing he did.
While this isn't the hatchet job I thought it might be after hearing Carl on the talk circuit, it's clear he formed an opinion.
I still say that a lot of the grief she got in 1992 was because she dared to be something other than some Stepford First Lady, with a Valium induced smile and personality. I think her problem was that she dared, and she did it with zero charm.
I am given pause, however, by some aspects that don't bode well. She is a completely packaged product and wound way too tight. She also apparently tends to surround herself with yes people, which may lead to a mess not unlike the current occupant of 1600 Penn, who also appears to surround himself with sycophants and Kool Ade drinkers.
I found the section on her childhood illuminating, and as an amateur armchair headshrinker I thought it makes her attraction to Bill (and his to her) make perfect sense. I found the section on the White House years illuminating as well, in terms of the dynamics that culminated in Bill doing that utterly stupid thing he did.
While this isn't the hatchet job I thought it might be after hearing Carl on the talk circuit, it's clear he formed an opinion.
I still say that a lot of the grief she got in 1992 was because she dared to be something other than some Stepford First Lady, with a Valium induced smile and personality. I think her problem was that she dared, and she did it with zero charm.
I am given pause, however, by some aspects that don't bode well. She is a completely packaged product and wound way too tight. She also apparently tends to surround herself with yes people, which may lead to a mess not unlike the current occupant of 1600 Penn, who also appears to surround himself with sycophants and Kool Ade drinkers.
cdbaker's review against another edition
4.0
This book was written when Hillary started running for president in 2008. It made me like Hillary more and Bill less.
dougsasser's review against another edition
3.0
Bernstein seems to admire his subject. However he did not earn his reputation by making politicians look good. There are many embarrassing details concerning her upbringing and marriage. He does highlight the positive impact of Methodism on her life. Also he explores her drive, studiousness and focus.
jpartlan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was pretty all inclusive look at Hillary Rodham Clinton's political life. There are some added information about her childhood. But the meat of the book starts with her college years and how she really developed her opinions and needs for change to do better for humanity and other policies near and dear to her. This was a good book describing all she had to deal with with the press and "Clinton haters". It just a lot that one person had to deal with.
sjoslyn's review against another edition
5.0
In general this is a positive take on Madame Secretary - which is fine with me as I admire her very much. It is balanced, though, and well researched. I found it more enjoyable than the books that she has written herself, just because they have that more objective perspective.
jesabesblog's review against another edition
4.0
If this book is one thing, it's comprehensive. Almost 26 hours of audio was a daunting task to get through.
I didn't know much about Hillary Clinton's early life, college years, and religious conviction - what I learned impressed me and made me like her more. I had no idea that before Bill Clinton even met Hillary she was a rising political star who'd been president of Wellesley College and featured in Life magazine.
Being only 8 years old when Bill was elected president, I also knew little about her attempt to create universal healthcare and...wow, was that mismanaged. Bernstein did make the case that her tenure as a Senator showed she had learned a lot about how to (and how not to) get things done during the Clinton presidency and was better for it.
In the end, the picture I got was of a deeply compassionate person who has laudable goals to improve people's lives - and thinks the ends justify the means. Further, she's deeply hurt when her means are questioned. Doesn't everyone know she's just trying to help people? Why are they criticizing how it gets done?
The book ends at her announcement to run for President in 2007, so that campaign and her time as Secretary of State aren't covered - I would love a Bernstein-esque deep dive into Benghazi and other more successful things she did during that time.
I didn't know much about Hillary Clinton's early life, college years, and religious conviction - what I learned impressed me and made me like her more. I had no idea that before Bill Clinton even met Hillary she was a rising political star who'd been president of Wellesley College and featured in Life magazine.
Being only 8 years old when Bill was elected president, I also knew little about her attempt to create universal healthcare and...wow, was that mismanaged. Bernstein did make the case that her tenure as a Senator showed she had learned a lot about how to (and how not to) get things done during the Clinton presidency and was better for it.
In the end, the picture I got was of a deeply compassionate person who has laudable goals to improve people's lives - and thinks the ends justify the means. Further, she's deeply hurt when her means are questioned. Doesn't everyone know she's just trying to help people? Why are they criticizing how it gets done?
The book ends at her announcement to run for President in 2007, so that campaign and her time as Secretary of State aren't covered - I would love a Bernstein-esque deep dive into Benghazi and other more successful things she did during that time.